Candidates'
Initial Statements in Response to the Capture of Saddam HusseinDecember 14, 2003

Clark"I could not be prouder
of the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces for capturing this horrible
despot. This is a testament to their courage and determination.
I'd also like to congratulate Lt. General Sanchez and the intelligence
community for the crucial role they played. We've been due good news
from Iraq and the world is a safer and better place now that he is in custody."

Dean"This is a great day for
the Iraqi people, the US, and the international community.

"Our troops are to be congratulated
on carrying out this mission with the skill and dedication we have come
to know of them.

"This development provides
an enormous opportunity to set a new course and take the American label
off the war. We must do everything possible to bring the UN, NATO,
and other members of the international community back into this effort.

"Now that the dictator is
captured, we must also accelerate the transition from occupation to full
Iraqi sovereignty."

Edwards"Today, every American and
people all over the world are waking up to the good news that Saddam Hussein
is no longer free. But no citizens are happier to learn of his capture
than the Iraqi people who endured his torture and oppression for decades.
They have been waiting to hear of his demise and we are all grateful that
they finally received this welcomed news.

"Since last March our men
and women in uniform have been working with courage and commitment to help
the Iraqi people create the country of their dreams: one that is free,
democratic, and free from Saddam Hussein's terrible reign. We are
all so proud of their efforts not just today, but every day as they work
tirelessly to bring democracy to Iraq.

"Our military leaders have
accomplished a great success. I hope President Bush will use this
opportunity to chart a course in Iraq that will bring in our allies in
a meaningful way to achieve a democratic and peaceful Iraq."

Gephardt"Today is a great day for
our troops, the Coalition forces and the people of Iraq.

"I supported this effort
in Iraq without regard for the political consequences because it was the
right thing to do. I still feel that way now and today is a major step
toward stabilizing Iraq and building a new democracy.

"For many years, we will
be confronted with a war on terrorism that is unfinished. This will be
a long and difficult struggle and we need a president who has the credibility
to unite the American people and our allies in an effort to make our nation
and our world safe."

Kerry"This is a great day for
U.S. forces, the Iraqi people, and the world. Capturing Saddam Hussein
and ensuring that this brutal dictator will never return to power is an
important step towards stabilizing Iraq for the Iraqis.

Let's also be clear: Our
problems in Iraq have not been caused by one man and this is a moment when
the administration can and must launch a major effort to gain international
support and win the peace. We need to share the burden, bring in other
countries, and make it clear to the world that Iraq belongs to the Iraqi
people.”

Today is another opportunity
to invite the world into a post-Saddam Iraq and build the coalition to
win the peace that we should have built to win the war."

Kucinich"With the capture of Saddam
Hussein the Administration's stated goal of removing him from power has
been accomplished. Now the focus must be on ending the occupation.
International law must be followed and Saddam Hussein must be held accountable
for his actions.

"The United States
must seize this moment and end the occupation of Iraq. The United
States must reach out to the world community with a new plan to stabilize
Iraq, bring UN peacekeepers in, and bring US troops home."

Lieberman"Hallelujah, praise the
Lord. This is something that I have been advocating and praying for
for more than twelve years, since the Gulf War of 1991. Saddam Hussein
was a homicidal maniac, a brutal dictator, who wanted to dominate the Arab
world and was supporting terrorists.

He caused the death of more
than a million people, including 460 Americans who went to overthrow him.
This is a day of glory for the American military, a day of rejoicing for
the Iraqi people, and a day of triumph and joy for anyone in the world
who cares about freedom, human rights, and peace.

This evil man has to
face the death penalty. The international tribunal in The Hague cannot
order the death penalty, so my first question about where he's going to
be tried will be answered by whether that tribunal can execute him.
If it cannot be done by theIraqi military tribunal, he should be brought
before an American military tribunal and face death.

We've got some challenges
ahead of us. This is not over. We've got to seize this moment,
bring in the international community to help us rebuild Iraq, ask NATO
to join us in the peacekeeping, complete our victory over the insurgents
and terrorists that are fighting us, and let the Iraqis govern themselves.

This news also makes clear
the choice the Democrats face next year. If Howard Dean had his way,
Saddam Hussein would still be in power today, not in prison, and the world
would be a more dangerous place.

If we Democrats want to win
back the White House and take this country forward, we have to show the
American people that we're prepared to keep them safe. I consistently
supported Saddam's removal for the past decade, and am prepared to do what
it takes to win the war on terrorism at home and abroad."

Moseley BraunThe capture of Saddam Hussein
is good news for the people of Iraq and the world. But it does not
change the fact that our troops remain in harm's way; and we are no closer
to bringing them home.